On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:41:35 -0800, Roy Lewallen
wrote:

When doing these tests, don't make the mistake of assuming the units on
your S-meter are some particular number of dB, unless you have the
abililty to actually measure them. Any assumption you make could be WAY off.

Thanks. My determining factor will be making the contact when I am up
for it. Too many times I have heard an s5 or better signal but by the
time it was my turn to call, or the pileup dies down, I can't hear the
mobile. That may be the answer.

I once considered phasing the vertical and horizontal together, but
from everything I read, the advantages of one over the other often
have to do with noise not picked up due to polarity. Horizontals have
some noise, and verticals have different noise, but a combination of
the two would have it all.

Since I am dealing with 20 and 40 meters mostly, I would only concern
myself with the 20 meter vertical. 40 doesn't seem to have the
problem. It seems that if I hear them on 40 I can work them. On 20 I
might get a 5-7 reply to a 22 report or vice-versa.

If I hang the vertical here, the top will be about 65 feet above
ground. The dipole feedline will be about 15 feet away and the center
of the dipole about 50-55 feet high. I doubt they will interact with
each other.


Thanks for your comments.

--
Buck
N4PGW